The number of alternative energy facilities in Elmore County may jump next year after a request to build several more wind farms gained initial approval by the county’s planning and zoning commission Nov. 3.

During the recent meeting, the commission recommended passage of six conditional use permits to construct up to 55 wind turbines near a group of 10 existing towers north of Hammett.

The commission also approved a separate conditional use permit to build an substation facility to tie these generators into Idaho Power’s electrical grid.

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